Thoroughly Modern Milly opens tonight in Monrovia

Community theatre is derided but not always deservedly so. The theatre group associated with Monrovia High School tackles big plays and does them quite nicely. Most importantly its a community effort supported by MUSD and gives kids and young adults in the area a chance to spread their wings, experiment and grow.

The play plot is well known. Young girl goes to New York looking for a rich husband instead of love. The part of Milly is played by Marjory Zuk who not only sings well, but dances well to bring the character to life. Theres a large pool of local talent to round out the cast and make for a lively evening.

Full Press release after the jump:
This summer, the Taylor Performing Arts Center in Monrovia, California will present the Tony Award winning musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie on July 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th for five performances only.

“Thoroughly Modern Millie is a high-energy show the whole family will enjoy filled with extraordinary singing and dancing. It tells the story of small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for money instead of love – a thoroughly modern aim in 1922, when women were just beginning to enter the workforce,” said Patrick Garcia, Director of Performing Arts for Monrovia Unified School District and the Producing, Artistic Director for the Taylor Performing Arts Center. After previewing at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, Thoroughly Modern Millie opened on Broadway on April 18, 2002 and subsequently won six 2002 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Millie is the fifth professional production for the community to be produced at the Taylor Center which is located on the campus of Monrovia High School. “We are very pleased with our cast and creative team for Thoroughly Modern Millie,” said Garcia, who is counting on audience members who championed previous productions (Music Man, White Christmas, The Wizard of Oz, and Meet Me In St. Louis) to return to the Taylor Center to support Thoroughly Modern Millie. “Hopefully, they will tell their friends too,” added Garcia.

The talented creative team for Thoroughly Modern Millie includes Director, Andrew Fernando; Choreographer, Roger Castellano; Music Director/Conductor, Brigham Freeth; Stage Manager,Martyn Tyler; Lighting Designer, Christine Schwinn; and Sound designer, Sean Fitzpatrick.Monrovia resident, Marjory Zuk, will play the lead role of Millie Dillmount in this summer’s production of Millie. Ms. Zuk was a featured dancer in White Christmas and also appeared as Esther Smith in Meet Me in St. Louis at the
Taylor Center. “She is a triple threat, incredible voice, exceptional dancer, and gifted actor!” said Garcia. The Taylor Center is pleased to welcome back well known Southern California actors Cody Clark, Emily Ganley, and Kelsey O’Keeffe, who have also appeared in previous productions at the Taylor Center. Other lead roles will be played by Justin Garcia, Deanna Baker, Emily Clark, Rick Lin and talented Monrovia High School student Matthew Marzo. Other Monrovia students in the cast include: Francesca De Francisco, Axel Lopez, Ben Thomas, Miickala Diaz, and Rose Luiten. Thoroughly Modern Millie features a cast of 31 talented actors, singers and
dancers.

For those of you who have not been inside the Taylor Center since bond money paid for it to be restored, you are in for a treat. This beautiful 1928 theatre was built by John C. Austin, the same Advanced tickets may be purchased at Monrovia Travel located at 401 South Myrtle Avenue or through Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets.com or by calling 800-838-3006. Advanced tickets may also be purchased from anyone on the Taylor Center’s Publicity and Marketing Committee including Kim Petulla, Joanne Spring, Maria Gray, Helen Hernandez, Ella Robertson, Landie Lopez, Kathy Rosenberg, Grace Carpenter, Laurie DeHart, Judy Chen-Ko, Penny Zuk, or Carrie De Francisco.

General admission tickets are $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for students and children age 12 and younger. $20.00 tickets are available for groups of 10 or larger as well as for senior citizens age 65 and above. VIP tickets are available for $35.00. Rush tickets in the first row are $10.00 and will be sold on a first come first served basis before each performance. On Saturday, July 18th all 2:00 PM matinee tickets will be $10.00 with the exception of VIP tickets. The Taylor Performing Arts Center is located at 845 West Colorado Boulevard in Monrovia, California 91016. Tickets may also be purchased at the Taylor Performing Arts Center beginning one hour before show time.

Thoroughly Modern Millie is sponsored by Monrovia Unified School District and the Boone Foundation.